Tag Archive | wedding

May, Looking Back at Spring Time Fun

May tends to be absolutely lovely here so we try to take full advantage with LOTS of time outside. dscn15491

dscn15511dscn15581And in the sprinkler. dscn15611

We got started on our planter boxes as well. Tomatoes and cucumbers this year. dscn15701

Plus Ken and I snuck out for a wedding.

Congrats you two!

Congrats you two!

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I even had my very own Mother’s Day (not professional of course) photo shoot! dscn15821

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img_20160508_120648We had a field trip to a local museum with homeschool buddies.dscn15951

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dscn16021img_20160518_143433We broke out the freezies.dscn16111

And worked on our meager landscaping skills.dscn16091

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Climbed trees.dscn16181

Went on long walks. And learned our route to the YMCA.dscn16211

Had lunch outdoors.dscn16241

And started our Canada unit. dscn16261

We even managed a visit with the Schwartz family.imag3086

And S’mores on the bbq… improvising!imag3134

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One of the things I love about May in Minnesota is that it does warm up. And this year we took full advantage!img_20160518_143350

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October, the New Month of Looooooovveee

Annnnddddd now we are onto October… and October of 2015 was a doozy. Not only did we have Halloween to contend with (and 5 costumes of which were all somewhat handmade), but a very important wedding. It is not every day you get to be in a THEMED wedding in a park for a friend who is more a sister to you than pretty much anyone on the planet. AND see her looking gorgeous and feel rather pretty yourself to boot. HEREIMG_20151011_003110

Halloween this year was the year of all handmade… each and every costume had at least a touch of our personal handy work on it. HERE.

Echo and zombie (?) Alex

Echo and zombie (?) Alex

October is also Ken’s birthday and Canadian Thanksgiving… both of which we celebrate.DSCN1196[1]

IMAG1025There is the usual, swim lessons at the YMCA thanks to Nana and Baba… and Home Depot…IMAG0931

Homeschool, of course… when are we not learning something new…DSCN1225[1]

DSCN1241[1]DSCN1248[1]DSCN1250[1]DSCN1249[1]October just happens to be the month when the trees in our backyard look their finest. And then when the ground looks its most amazing. I could not resist a full on photo shoot of everyone and everything. You can see the rest of the leaf pictures HERE.DSCN1201[1]

DSCN1203[1]DSCN1205[1]We really had a crafty and active month.

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Spiderwebs

Spiderwebs

DSCN1251[1]DSCN1253[1]As well as some time with games indoors…

Working on our spelling

Working on our spelling

DSCN1229[1]With company as well…

Evan

Evan

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Jeffrey!

Jeffrey!

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Fun with Scouts…IMG_20151025_171505

IMAG1112And Sunday School of course!IMG_20151004_110636

I have to admit, I love October more when we are in Minnesota… the colours here are so… amazing!!!DSCN1257[1]

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 Top it off with random images and what a great month!IMG_20151005_152831

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Congratulations Shandai and Ravyn!!!!

Only a little over 6 months late but…. ENJOY… sometimes reflecting back is a warm fuzzy all its own!master (21)

FIRST obligatory adorable kitty pics! 12096470_10153703232386151_6064828047901730230_n

IMG_2819The 10th of October marked the beginning of what I believe is already an AMAZING marriage. My oldest friend marrying the absolute love of her life! And Ken and I got to be a major part of it!! I was the MAID (see she knows how to make a girl feel young) of honour to stand next to her Man of honour. Ken got to be the driver of the bride and so much more.

Sitting in the fancy ride (the GMC thanks to the loan of the inlaws) having a pre wedding sip.

Sitting in the fancy ride (the GMC thanks to the loan of the inlaws) having a pre wedding sip.

IMG_2830The wedding was definitely not a classic church wedding and it suited them to a T. Hand fasting, an actual KNOT was tied (I kid you not… cords representing different parts of their marriage knotted in an infinity knot). The location was amazing – a state park between two major rivers, the day PERFECT! After months and months of work, organizing and positive thinking the day just came together marvelously.DSCN1194

DSCN1195I had the added task of welcoming Shandai’s mother (Wilma) into the circle during the ceremony. She passed away nearly 11 years ago from MS. I remember her… it was so amazing to do this task and honestly FEEL her THERE. I know she was smiling and dancing along with us. (of course I cried… actually I cried MULTIPLE times during the day… no one who knows me is surprised I am sure) I don’t think I can explain how… pure and special the entire experience felt.

our gift to them... that is Shandai's mom (her favourite picture of her), paper made by the kids, my welcome hand written by myself and arranged by Ken.

our gift to them… that is Shandai’s mom (her favourite picture of her), paper made by the kids, my welcome hand written by myself and arranged by Ken.

The crochet’ed top hats I made over the year (like 100) went over marvelously too… they even had a table at the reception to decorate them so people all over the place were WEARING MY HATS!

Sheep tested!

Sheep tested!

Tiny beings and tiny hats!

Tiny beings and tiny hats!

fullweb (2)fullweb (3)fullweb (4)But enough about that… let’s see, the pertinent information – THEME! Steampunk with a touch of Firefly… there was people dressed up impeccably as characters from the show. My outift, Shandai’s absolutely PERFECT gown and the Best Woman Dara’s outfits were all made by the most talented seamstress Amy Sue. I do believe I linked her before but repeat is a good thing… HERE.

Dressing at the house

Dressing at the house

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Can you see the Firefly inspiration here???

Can you see the Firefly inspiration here???

My hair and make up were all in the capable hands of Kristi… She was AMAZING… the gears were all her… the hair completely her brain. The hair piece (and the ring bearer the gorgeous and pregnant Raina’s) were all Ken! My artistic man.DSCN1187

The day was perfect… sunshine and wee bit of breeze. No overheating but not shivering in the cold either. I swear it was a day made for this wedding.
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The wedding was outside and the day was PERFECT! Lots of great pictures from the ceremony and the location.

Andy (Man of Honour) placing a Serenity charm on Shandai's shoe

Andy (Man of Honour) placing a Serenity charm on Shandai’s shoe

With Raina (pregnant with TWIN BOYS!) the bearer of the rings

With Raina (pregnant with TWIN BOYS!) the bearer of the rings

Chatting, I love how our faces look like it is something completely different

Chatting, I love how our faces look like it is something completely different

Bride, Groom, Brother of the Groom (Bill... he had the best long tails EVER) and the seamstress... the AMAZING Amy Sue

Bride, Groom, Brother of the Groom (Bill… he had the best long tails EVER) and the seamstress… the AMAZING Amy Sue

fullwebLet’s see… I met a variety of new people… had an amazing experience… tasted some absolutely amazing mead. There was Irish dancing at the reception as well. With a large percentage of the guests being dancers or Renaissance Festival employees and enthusiasts it was quite the party.12122576_10200994959911650_2773561288717916963_n

One of Amy's fun selfies (on left) with Trish

One of Amy’s fun selfies (on left) with Trish

Thanks Amy, we look cute in this one!

Thanks Amy, we look cute in this one!

We stopped at a pub they dance at before we got to the reception. Pictures were taken of course.

With bridal attendant Trish

With bridal attendant Trish

12122526_10153234427315954_8062970876602714635_nThere was a photo booth area manned by the photographer’s niece and nephew… and I must say, the photographer was AMAZING… so energized and he was awesome at brainstorming and then getting fun and unique ideas across. His site is HERE. I am planning on framing these three images below (edited by the gorgeous bride herself) for display on our wall. A nice series of images from a day to remember.12167173_10153235146635954_1998140958_n

12072596_10153235109545954_4226697375616343846_n11696705_10153235152745954_74121373_nNow to blow you over with amazing images… and one more time !!! CONGRATS YOU TWO!

Just the girls in the wedding party... Emily (bridesmaid), Trish (bridal attendant), Raina (bearer of rings), Shandai (bride), Dara (best woman), Me (maid of honour... yup MAID hehe)

Just the girls in the wedding party… Emily (bridesmaid), Trish (bridal attendant), Raina (bearer of rings), Shandai (bride), Dara (best woman), Me (maid of honour… yup MAID hehe)

Bridal Party

Bridal Party

The guests at the wedding itself

The guests at the wedding itself

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Dress repair! Amy Sue you rock!

Dress repair! Amy Sue you rock!

This entry was posted on 22/05/2016, in Uncategorized. 5 Comments